Published: Dec 01, 2012, 12:55 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 01, 2012, 12:55 PM (IST)
South Africa took a vital lead of 62 runs after an inspired bowling performance in the first innings © Getty Images
Perth: Dec 1, 2012
South Africa’s Dale Steyn and Robin Peterson starred as Australia crumbled to 163 all-out before Tea on Day Two of the third Test at Perth.
Steyn picked up four wickets in the first session to peg Australia to 118 for seven at Lunch before Peterson polished off the tail to give the Proteas a lead of 62 to begin with.
Australian wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade (68) provided the lone resistance for the home side as the South African bowlers ripped through the hosts’ batting line-up. After a fighting 68 off 102 balls, including seven fours and three hits over the fence, Wade finally fell after the tea break as he went to slog the slow left-armer and missed completely.
There was no coming back from there for the hosts as Peterson cleaned up debutant John Hastings and big-hitter Mitchell Johnson in quick succession.
South Africa openers Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen then survived six overs of Mitchell Starc and Shane Watson before the break to increase their lead to 86 runs. The visitors will be very pleased with their position in the game so far.
Earlier in the day, Steyn was the first to strike, and sent back overnight batsmen David Warner (13) and Nathan Lyon (7) in his very first over of the day after finding the leading edges.
Ricky Ponting (4) couldn’t inspire a fightback as he was trapped in front by Vernon Philander (two for 41) after facing just seven balls.
Captian Michael Clarke (5), who has been South Africa’s tormentor with the bat in the series, couldn’t help but knick a fiery Steyn to keeper AB de Villiers as Australia fell to 45 for six.
Michael Hussey and Wade then shared a 55-run partnership before Morne Morkel (one for 13), who had set up Hussey well by probing him with delieveries outside off-stump, found the edge that carried to Graeme Smith at first slip.
Brief Score: South Africa 225 and 24 for 0 (Alviro Petersen 21*) lead Australia 163 (Matthew Wade 68; Dale Steyn 4 for 40, Robin Peterson 3 for 44, Vernon Philander 2 for 55) by 86 runs
